Detección de Escherichia coli en superficies inertes de servicios higiénicos en la unidad académica de salud y bienestar de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca

Abstract

Introduction: Throughout the years, there have been several diseases to which human beings are subjected, and pathogenic microorganisms are the primary transmission factor in surfaces of daily use, even more if cleaning staff and users do not provide adequate hygiene. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine and quantify the presence of Escherichia coli on toilet surface facilities at the Academic Department of Health and Wellness of the Catholic University of Cuenca Campus. Methodology: A non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in which 424 samples were taken from 106 toilets. The non-parametric Chi-square test (X2) with a significance level of 0.05 was used to evaluate the correlation between the variables involved in this study. Results: Of the samples analyzed, E. coli was present in more significant quantities before routine cleaning, representing 13.67% of the total, while after cleaning, 7.78%; likewise, there was more significant contamination in the toilet knobs than in the door handles, comprised by 9.43% and 6.60%, respectively. Conclusion: The study indicated that toilets have a higher bacterial load of E. coli before cleaning than after cleaning, and the most contaminated surface is the toilet knobs.